Every new start in contacts with London gives hope for improved relations, said Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov

MOSCOW, July 14. /TASS/. Moscow thinks that newly-appointed UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will adopt a more diplomatic rhetoric in the future in comparison with some of his previous statements, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.

Answering a question on how Moscow assesses previous harsh statements that Boris Johnson made about the Russian president, Peskov said that Johnson "at his previous post (Mayor of London) did not influence UK’s foreign policy in any way and did not express London’s official position." "The importance of his current position will definitely make him adopt a different rhetoric, a more diplomatic one," he added.

At the same time, the Kremlin spokesman refused to comment on Johnson’s appointment as UK Foreign Secretary. "You should probably address this question to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is wrong to comment on this from the Kremlin," Peskov noted.

Hope for good relations

Moscow has consistently favored efforts to mend relations with London and notes that each new start in this issue "gives some hope," Russian presidential spokesman said.

He recalled that the head of state had sent telegrams to former British Prime Minister David Cameron and new UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

"Unfortunately, we cannot boast that we have made huge progress in our bilateral relations, so, of course, every new start gives us some hope," the Kremlin spokesman said. He added that "Russia has consistently favored efforts to mend, reestablish good relations of cooperation, mutual benefit and is in favor of taking into account each other’s interests." "Of course, Russia is confident that the current state of our bilateral relations (with Britain) in no way corresponds to the mutual potential. Moreover, this current state meets neither Britons’ nor Russians’ interests," Peskov said.

Theresa May, the new Conservative Party leader, was officially appointed UK Prime Minister after David Cameron's resignation. He stepped down after the national referendum on EU membership when the majority of Britons voted for Brexit.